Sundar Pichai: Google's new boss – An Inspiring Migrant Story

Sundar Pichai is an Indian American heading the Google’s Android division. His call to fame began as a simple story with a bursting curiosity in the world of electronics. Given below is a chronological order of his journey to success in the Silicon Valley, through the world of Android.

Pichai's life story is remarkable.

1. Short Bio – Birth, Family, Education, Migration, Work

Born in 1972 in Tamil Nadu, India, Sundar Pichai comes from a simple middle-class Indian family. His father worked as an electrical engineer with General Electric Company(a British Corporation) and his mother as a stenographer.

Sundar excelled in school and that paved his way into the Mettalurgical Division of IIT, Kharagpur, India. Upon graduating he migrated to the U.S in ‘93 to pursue his M.S, in Stanford University and then MBA from Wharton School of Business. During his study at Wharton, he was awarded the ‘Siebel scholar’ and ‘Palmer Scholar’ titles.

Prior to his joining Google, Sundar had a stint working for Applied Materials in McKinsey & Co. Over the years, he was dedicated to building high-tech products.

While Sundar was grappling with his lonely days as a migrant on the sure road to success, he needed the succor of his then girlfriend, now wife Anjali, who many say plays a pivotal role in all his endeavors.

2. Entry into Google

His entry into Google was marked with the launch of the free mail service Gmail! It is said that Sundar thought it to be a Googlers prank as the day of launch (April 1st 2004) coincided with Fool’s Day!

As the VP of product management, Sundar played a key role in the innovation team, working on Chrome and Chrome OS. A decade later, Gmail, Chrome and Chrome OS have become household words!

3. Google Worksheet

His skills and expertise reflected in the development of Google Search, Google Toolbar, Google Pack, Google Gears, Gmail Apps, Maps, and many more. His revolutionizing idea of launching a browser, had him pitted against Eric Schmidt, the Executive Chairman at Google. Schmidt was aghast at the idea because by then Internet Explorer and Mozilla were ruling the roost!His insistence and perseverance paid off and today, Chrome has a market share of over 20% (as reported by Forbes)

The world now knows him as the brain behind Android One which was launched on 15th September, 2014, in India. Sundar gave an exclusive interview on Android One launch to one of India’s news networks, NDTV. Android is an operating system for smartphones and tablets and is currently developed by Google.

What People Say of Him:

What Googlers Say: Larry Page – Google CEO

Larry Page expressed his views about Sundar via a blog post,saying, “Sundar has a talent for creating products that are technically excellent yet easy to use–and he loves a big bet. Take Chrome, for example. In 2008, people asked whether the world really needed another browser. Today Chrome has hundreds of millions of happy users and is growing fast thanks to its speed, simplicity and security. So while Andy’s a really hard act to follow, I know Sundar will do a tremendous job doubling down on Android as we work to push the ecosystem forward.”

His colleague for 8 years, Mr. Caesar Sengupta, as quoted in Bloomberg BusinessWeek in June 2014:

“I would challenge you to find anyone at Google who doesn’t like Sundar or who thinks Sundar is a jerk,”

Raghunath Pichai (father)as quoted in Bloomberg BusinessWeek in June 2014:

“I used to come home and talk to him a lot about my work day and the challenges I faced,”, and “Even at a young age, he was curious about my work. I think it really attracted to him to technology.”

Y-Axis on Sundar Pichai

Y-Axis Overseas Careers and Immigration Consultants have always held global Indians in great pride. Had it not been for migration, Sundar might not have reached these heights and we would not have seen the likes of his brilliance.

CEO of Y-Axis, Mr. Xavier Augustin affirms, “Sundar Pichai is a great migrant success story and we Indians are proud of his success.” We at Y-Axis have always held the Global Indian in great pride. And we strive to increase the tribe because it is a good thing and the best thing that ever happened to India. India and Indians are everywhere. They are the talk of the town in every country and in demand because Indians actually are the new raw material for today’s modern economies.”